Cacophony
Definition:
jarring, discordant sound; dissonance à use of harsh sounds
Examples:
FROST
“Out, Out --“
The buzz-sawsnarled and rattled in the yard
And made dust and dropped stove-length sticks of wood, Effect:
In this case, Frost makes use of cacophony to emphasize the chilling and suspenseful nature of the story to be revealed in his poem. The poem captures a shocking and unpleasant image which is reflected by the harsh and uneasy sounds in these first lines. The use of the letters “z” and “k” and the rolling “r” in snarled creates necessary breaks, resulting in a slower read which further accentuates the tension of the scene.
“The Exposed Nest”
The cutter-bar had just gone champing over
(Miraculously without tasking flesh)
Effect:
The lines describe a gripping scene with tension similar to that in “Out, Out –-.” The action suggests the possibility of a fatality and thus cacophony is used to stress the evil that is the “cutter-bar” which could have caused severe damage to the young innocent birds. The harsh tones sharply contrast the peaceful image of a just-filled nest of fluffy creatures to increase the suspense.
SHAKESPEARE King Lear Gloucester: Because I would not see thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister
In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs.
The sea, with such a storm as his bare head
In hell-black night endured, would have buoyed up
And quenched the stellèd fires. (III. vii. 56-61)
Effect:
Shakespeare uses cacophony to lay emphasis on the cruelty that is being committed to Gloucester by Cornwall and Regan. The scene is especially significant in that it represents an irreversible tragedy, proving the degree of chaos permeating the state. Dissonance in the repeated “k” sound creates a distasteful noise parallel to the repulsive nature of the violence being committed. Furthermore, the words “buoyed” and “stellèd” may be easily mispronounced, resulting in a difficult flow of words.
Definition:
jarring, discordant sound; dissonance à use of harsh sounds
Examples:
FROST
“Out, Out --“
The buzz-saw snarled and rattled in the yard
And made dust and dropped stove-length sticks of wood,
Effect:
In this case, Frost makes use of cacophony to emphasize the chilling and suspenseful nature of the story to be revealed in his poem. The poem captures a shocking and unpleasant image which is reflected by the harsh and uneasy sounds in these first lines. The use of the letters “z” and “k” and the rolling “r” in snarled creates necessary breaks, resulting in a slower read which further accentuates the tension of the scene.
“The Exposed Nest”
The cutter-bar had just gone champing over
(Miraculously without tasking flesh)
Effect:
The lines describe a gripping scene with tension similar to that in “Out, Out –-.” The action suggests the possibility of a fatality and thus cacophony is used to stress the evil that is the “cutter-bar” which could have caused severe damage to the young innocent birds. The harsh tones sharply contrast the peaceful image of a just-filled nest of fluffy creatures to increase the suspense.
SHAKESPEARE
King Lear
Gloucester: Because I would not see thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister
In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs.
The sea, with such a storm as his bare head
In hell-black night endured, would have buoyed up
And quenched the stellèd fires. (III. vii. 56-61)
Effect:
Shakespeare uses cacophony to lay emphasis on the cruelty that is being committed to Gloucester by Cornwall and Regan. The scene is especially significant in that it represents an irreversible tragedy, proving the degree of chaos permeating the state. Dissonance in the repeated “k” sound creates a distasteful noise parallel to the repulsive nature of the violence being committed. Furthermore, the words “buoyed” and “stellèd” may be easily mispronounced, resulting in a difficult flow of words.
Page by Felicia Liu